Real Madrid aims to maintain 100 percent as embattled Everton host Arsenal

Real Madrid will be aiming to extend their 100% winning run this season when they play hosts to Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu in Matchday 5 of La Liga on Sunday.

Prior to the international break, Los Blancos picked up four wins in four in the league, with their most recent game ending in a 2-1 victory, courtesy of a late Jude Bellingham winner.

All eyes will once again be on the England international at the Bernabeu, while Carlo Ancelotti is all set to welcome Dani Ceballos back into the squad for the first time this season.

Ferland Mendy has returned to training but is not ready for a return to action on Sunday while Arda Guler and Vinicius Jr are still some way away from a comeback. Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois are long-term absentees.

With Barcelona winning Saturday night, Real Madrid could find themselves trailing their arch-rivals in the table and will have their task cut against Imanol Alguacil’s side. With that in mind, here’s how Ancelotti could set his team up on Sunday.

Kepa Arrizabalaga seems the clear favourite in goal in the absence of Thibaut Courtois, with Andriy Lunin once again becoming the backup option despite starting the first two matches of the season.

There is unlikely to be any rotation in the defensive unit, as Dani Carvajal and Fran Garcia continue as the two full-backs on the right and left sides, respectively. Meanwhile, the central defensive pairing of David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger should also be retained.

The midfield department is where things get tricky for Ancelotti as far as selecting his team is concerned.

 

Aurelien Tchouameni’s imperious form and the lack of a natural backup in the defensive midfield role make him almost a guaranteed starter at the base of Ancelotti’s diamond setup in the cecenterWith the important UEFA Champions League encounter coming up next week, Ancelotti could decide to protect both his veteran midfield superstars Toni Kroos and Luka Modric for that game.

As such, Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga should occupy the two interior positions in the middle of the park for Real Madrid.

Jude Bellingham is a guaranteed starter in the attacking midfield role for the Merengues and will be eager to add to his tally of five goals and continue his spectacular start to life in Spain.

With no Vinicius Jr, the attacking pair of Rodrygo Goes and Joselu pretty much picks itself against Real Sociedad.

Luka Modric and Toni Kroos should feature off the bench at some point, with Ancelotti likely to turn to his most experienced players if there is a need for some control in the game.

Brahim Diaz has not had a lot of minutes since returning from AC Milan and is

eager to make the most of his opportunity.

Dani Ceballos could be in line for his first appearance of the season, having made his return from injury.

In England, Everton, which is set to come under new ownership, has a chance to get out of the relegation zone of the Premier League when it faces undefeated Arsenal at Goodison Park. It’s not an easy task. The Gunners rallied to beat Manchester United 3-1 in their last game. Bournemouth hosts Chelsea in the early game with both clubs struggling so far this season.

Elsewhere, in Italy, Roma is still searching for its first win of the season and it hosts newly promoted Empoli, which has lost its opening three matches back in Serie A. Roma has just one point. Roma coach Jose Mourinho confirmed that Romelu Lukaku and Paulo Dybala will both start, with the two strikers playing together for the first time. Promoted Cagliari also has just one point and Claudio Ranieri’s side hosts Udinese. Lecce, which is surprisingly fourth, can move level with second-place Juventus with a win at Monza. Atalanta is a point behind Lecce and visits Fiorentina. Frosinone hosts Sassuolo.

Three of the four teams in Bundesliga action haven’t yet won a game this season. Borussia Monchengladbach plays at last-place Darmstadt with both teams winless. Heidenheim, which also has yet to win a league game, hosts midtable Werder Bremen in the day’s other match.

And in France, Unbeaten Monaco looks to strengthen its lead with victory at midtable Lorient. Monaco has been scoring freely so far this season under coach Adi Hütter, with 13 goals in the first four matches. Marseille is also unbeaten and can jump to at least second place with a home win against Toulouse at Stade Velodrome, which has been hosting Rugby World Cup matches. Also, struggling Lyon desperately needs a home win against promoted Le Havre.